MESSINGHAM
WAR MEMORIAL

The
Messingham memorial stands in the High Street at the junction of High
Street and Church Street and Northfield Road, Messingham. The memorial
takes the form of a three stepped base surmounted by plinth, pedestal
and cross. The inscription is on marble tablets placed on the sides
of the pedestal with incised inscription in gold painted lettering.
There is a Crown carved in relief on the front face of the cross, a
Wreath carved in relief at the foot of the cross and a Flower carved
in relief on stones placed either side of the base of the pedestal.
There are 23 names for World War 1, 9 for World War 2 and one for Bosnia,
added in 1997 at the request of his parents. The memorial was originally
unveiled and dedicated on 26th September 1920. Details can be found
in the Scunthorpe Star 2nd October 1920.

News
has come to hand of the death in France of Lance-corporal Hy. Barker
of the 8th Lincolns. This makes the fourth Messingham boy who has
fallen in action. Deceased had only been enlisted six months and
had been but a month in France. He was 20 years of age. He had lived
all his time in Messingham up to enlisting. He was a young man highly
respected by all who knew him. He was attached to the Wesleyan Sunday
School as a boy and up to enlisting attended the Wesleyan Church.
He was brought up by his grandmother (Mrs Jackson) and much sympathy
is expressed to her in her bereavement, also to his sister Mrs Sizer
of Scotter.”

In
the 1901 census Henry CHEESEMAN was the son of William & Elizabeth
Cheeseman, aged 12, a schoolby, born Messingham and resident Cross
Tree Road, Messingham. Also Jonathan CHEESEMAN was a butcher in
Messingham, listed in Kelly's Directory of 1909. No further information
currently.

The sad news of the death by wounds of John Wm. Kirk, of his parish,
came to hand last week. The deceased joined the army almost on commencement
of the war, and had been in training ever since. For some time past
he had been with his Company, the 6th Yorks Regiment in the Dardanelles,
and when last heard of he was well. The sad news came as a great
blow to his father and married sister, also to the whole of the
parish. Much sympathy has been shown to them in their bereavement.
Deceased was much respected and memorial services were held at the
places of worship on Sunday last. Two Messingham lads have now been
killed, viz. J.W. Kirk and W. Stow.

On
Wednesday the news came to Messingham by wire of the death in action
of Corpl.. Frank Massey in France. At the time the war broke out
he was living at Oakham (as a draper’s assistant). Previous
to that all his life had been spent at Messingham, and his trade
was learned at Mr. Lane’s, draper, etc. He was the eldest
son of Mr. and Mrs. Massey, now residing in Gainsborough. He was
highly respected by everyone in Messingham and a heavy gloom was
thrown over the village when it became known he had been killed.
He was attached to the 5th Leicesters, and was in the charge on
the 13th October. He was nearly 23 years of age. He was very well
thought of by the Wesleyans. At the time of leaving he was a member
of the choir and Sunday school teacher, and was most popular in
the village and district, and his services as a tenor singer were
much sought after. He was ever ready to help in any work for the
promotion of good in the village. The following letter has been
sent to his parents:-

“It
is with the deepest sorrow and regret that I write to tell you of
the death of your son Frank, who was killed in action during a charge
on Wednesday last. It may be of some comfort to you to know he died
fighting nobly and his end was quite painless. He was my greatest
friend. We had been pals from Oakham and I cannot tell you how sorry
I am that he has gone. All who knew him in the Regiment and his
many friends are most grieved about it, as he was a most sunny,
bright and helpful personality, and no one could help liking him.
I looked upon him as a brother. You all have my sympathy in your
great loss.”

Sergeant
5046398. 2nd Battalion, North Staffordshire Regiment. Died 23rd
April 1943, aged 29 years. Son of Arthur Bernard and Eva Carpendale,
husband of Edna Carpendale of Weaverham, Cheshire. Commemorated
MASSICAULT WAR CEMETERY. II.J.18.

HILES

Richard
David

Leading
Aircraftman 656197. Royal Air Force. Died 17th November 1941, aged
26 years. Son of John William and Edith Hiles of Messingham, Lincs.
Commemorated OTTAWA (Beechwood) CEMETERY. Section 29. Lot 1. Grave
115.

MAW

Robert

Private
14801446. Gordon Highlanders. Died 15th April 1945, aged 20 years.
Son of Robert and Ada Maw of Messingham, Lincs. Commemorated BECKLINGEN
WAR CEMETERY. 3.D.15.

MILLSON

Leonard

Signalman
2369066. 10 Indian Div Sigs, Royal Corps of Signals. Died 17th August
1942, aged 25 years. Son of John Thomas and Florence Millson of
Messingham, Lincs. Commemorated ALAMEIN MEMORIAL. Column 52.

Private
T/281779. Royal Army Service Corps. Died 27th December 1941, aged
23 years. Son of Herbert and Hannah Wilmot of Messingham, Lincs.
Commemorated MESSINGHAM (Holy Trinity) CHURCHYARD.

At
the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them

In
memory of others of Messingham who have lost their lives in conflicts
since 1945

WITHERSTONE

Graham
Shane

Airtrooper
25033395. Army Air Corps. Died 20th August 1995, aged 20 years,
in Bosnia. Born 7 February 1975. Buried on the North side in the
churchyard of Holy Trinity Church, Messingham, Lincolnshire. Grave
1822.